Govt to begin trials of 22 anti-pollution innovations by month-end

Dust Pollution near India Gate in New Delhi

New Delhi: Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the testing of 22 projects that have been selected as part of the innovation challenge to address air pollution will start by month-end.

Chairing a review meeting, Sirsa directed agencies concerned to fast-track trials of the selected innovations, which were chosen from 284 entries. He asked agencies to extend full logistical support, including site permissions, power connections, vehicle arrangements and issuance of no-objection certificates (NOCs).

“Move swiftly in approving site permissions, arranging vehicles and providing power connectivity. Timely completion of trial runs is critical to providing Delhi with evidence-based, deployable solutions for cleaner air,” Sirsa said.

Launched by Delhi govt, the innovation challenge seeks low-cost, scalable solutions to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 emissions from vehicular exhaust and ambient sources. Of the 284 entries that were screened by DPCC officials, 48 innovation projects were forwarded to the Independent Technical Evaluation Committee (ITEC) for exhibition, presentations, and detailed reviews. “The Independent Technical Evaluation Committee (ITEC), comprising experts from IIT Delhi, CPCB, ARAI (Pune), NPL, DTU and Maruti Suzuki, conducted further evaluations, resulting in 22 innovations selected for trials,” said Sirsa.

Among the selected projects, 13 focus on vehicular emission mitigation, including vehicle-mounted air filters, particulate matter collectors, retrofit emission control devices (RECDs) for BS-IV vehicles, dust collectors and after-treatment systems for heavy-duty diesel vehicles. The remaining nine target ambient air pollution and include large-scale air purifiers, air treatment towers, pole and road-divider dust collectors, and radio-wave particulate aggregators.

The govt may spend up to Rs 10 lakh on field trials for each selected innovation to enable testing across multiple locations in the city. Top-performing projects will compete for cash awards, with the grand winner set to receive Rs 50 lakh, the first runner-up Rs 25 lakh, and the second runner-up Rs 10 lakh.

“Deployments are planned at sites such as ISBT Kashmere Gate, Red Fort grounds, primary health centres, fire stations, and corridors in Punjabi Bagh, Kirti Nagar and Rohini, among other locations. Independent monitoring by IIT Delhi, NPL and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) will ensure scientific rigor. Data collection is expected to be completed by May 31, followed by assessments in May–June and final recommendations to Delhi govt by July,” an official said.

The review meeting was attended by officials from Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Fire Service (DFS), Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation (DTIDC), and the Department of Health and Family Welfare.